Patents Issued in February 13, 2007
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Patent number: 7176408Abstract: In a method for cutting structural components to be joined by laser radiation that is guided by a computer-controlled manipulation system provided with a nominal path for each structural component corresponding to a joining line that is curved as a result of at least one of the structural components being three-dimensionally shaped, the structural component surfaces of the structural components including the joining line are determined measuring technologically. Based on measuring results, the nominal path corresponding to a penetration line of the structural components to be joined is calculated. A marking is formed on a first one of the structural component surfaces. When performing the cut on the structural component surface provided with the marking, the resulting cutting gap and the marking are determining measuring technologically. When a deviation of the cutting gap from the nominal path is detected, the manipulation system is controlled to correct the deviation.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignees: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Thyssen Laser-Technik GmbH, ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Schulz, Jan Michel, Peter Abels, Gerhard Alber, Jörg Neubert, Friedrich Behr, Stefan Kaierle
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Patent number: 7176409Abstract: A system for delivering energy to a substrate including a dynamically directable source of radiant energy providing a plurality of beams of radiation, each propagating in a dynamically selectable direction. Independently positionable beam steering elements in a plurality of beam steering elements are operative to receive the beams and direct them to selectable locations on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Orbotech LtdInventors: Abraham Gross, Zvi Kotler, Eliezer Lipman
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Patent number: 7176410Abstract: An electric-arc welding process for assembling parts that are components of a motor vehicle, in which a consumable wire is used that is subjected to a cyclic mechanical movement. The wire is moved closer to and then further away from the parts to be welded so as to create a short arc between the end of the consumable wire and at least one of the parts to be joined. In this way, molten metal is deposited in order to progressively produce a welded joint between the parts.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignees: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, La Soudure Autogene FrancaiseInventors: Jean-Marie Fortain, Gérard Plottier
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Patent number: 7176411Abstract: A wire feeder for supplying consumable welding wire to a welding gun includes a housing and a wire advancing mechanism connected to the housing for paying wire from a wire spool to a welding gun. A storage tray is formed with the housing. A wire spool support is connected to the housing and rotatably supports the wire spool. The wire spool support includes a wire spool support tray, an elevated member extending from the wire spool support tray, and a spool retention member connected to the elevated member and rotatably supporting the wire spool.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.Inventor: Edward A. Enyedy
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Patent number: 7176412Abstract: Locking engagement connections between various components of a welding device can include tapered features having varied thread patterns and/or varied angles to ensure that the components remain tight during service. For example, locking engagement connections can be incorporated between a nozzle and a retaining head, a retaining head and a gooseneck, and/or a contact tip and a retaining head.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Tregaskiss LtdInventor: Jeff G. Wells
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Patent number: 7176413Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a plurality of shape-memory actuators, for instance installed on board a motor vehicle, control the electric supply current of each shape-memory elements as a function of one or more parameters referring to environmental conditions, such as environment temperature and temperature of memory-shape actuator, of available supply voltage for motor vehicle battery, of previous actuations, or of previous activation requests of shape-memory actuators.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Alessandro Zanella, Francesco Butera
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Patent number: 7176414Abstract: A glow plug having an outer body with an inner cavity having tapered sidewalls. An insulating ring having outer tapered walls is held within the body and has an inner opening also having tapered walls. A central electrode, having a tapered wall section, fits tightly in the inner opening of the insulating ring. The insulating ring and central electrode are forced under pressure in the cavity of the glow plug to provide a glow plug capable of withstanding high temperature and pressure applications without leaking.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Inventor: Steven B. O'Donnell
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Patent number: 7176415Abstract: A heating method and apparatus for a band-shaped body transported in a constant conveying direction in a heating zone so as to heat the band-shaped body is provided. The method includes detecting whether a portion of the band-shaped body at which width and/or thickness changes is passing through the heating zone setting a first supplied heat quantity, and supplying heat with the first supplied quantity to the band-shaped body in the heating zone; and setting a second supplied heat quantity, and supplying heat with the second supplied quantity to the band-shaped body in the heating zone. The method also includes increasing or decreasing at least one of air flow rate or temperature of the heated air stream. The apparatus includes an air flow ratio changing unit which maintains a constant sum of introduced air stream flow rate and bypass air stream flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoshi Kamitani, Kenji Hayashi
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Patent number: 7176416Abstract: A switching device for controlling an industrial cooking apparatus having a cooking chamber that can be closed by means of a door having a movable door handle with a movable door latch attached to it, with a switch fixed to the housing and with a magnet for actuating the switch, the magnets being arranged in the movable door latch at a position that is positioned adjacent to the switch in a latched state of the door.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Convotherm Elektrogeraete GmbHInventors: Rainer Lammerskitten, Hannes Wild
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Patent number: 7176417Abstract: A resistive heater having a doped ceramic heating element embedded either partially or completely within a matrix of undoped ceramic material. The ceramic may be silicon carbide, and the dopant may be nitrogen. Many of the advantages of the present heater stern from the fact that the materials used for the heating elements and the matrix material surrounding those elements have substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion. In one embodiment, the heater is a monolithic plate that is compact, strong, robust, and low in thermal mass, allowing it to respond quickly to power input variations. The resistive heater may be used in many of the reactors and processing chambers used to fabricate integrated circuits, such as those that deposit epitaxial films, and carry out rapid thermal processing.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Kristian E. Johnsgard, Daniel L. Messineo, David E. Sallows
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Patent number: 7176418Abstract: The present invention provides a cooking stove that prevents an instruction from being given using the touch switch owing to a factor different from the user's operation, while hindering the user from having an incongruous or anxious feeling when operating the touch switch. Touch switches 10 to 13 are provided on a glass top plate covering a top surface of a cooking stove main body accommodating a left burner and a right burner; the touch switches 10 to 13 sense an object that contacts with or approaches the top surface of the glass top plate. When any of the touch switches is turned on and then turned off again, heating control 31 executes a pre-assigned process to the touch switch. When the touch switch is turned on, lighting control 32 changes the displays of display sections 14 to 17 to ones corresponding to the state of a burner after the process has been executed before executing a pre-assigned process to the touch switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Rinnai CorporationInventors: Atsuhito Gama, Shinichiro Hata, Hiroyuki Yamada, Kazuya Hirota
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Patent number: 7176419Abstract: A heating pad system useable in one embodiment for warming a person on a support structure. In this embodiment, the heating pad system comprises an upper foam pad, a lower foam pad, and a thermal-electric heating element sandwiched between the upper and lower foam pads. A form-fitting waterproof cover encloses at least a portion of the upper and lower foam pads and the thermal-electric heating element. In one aspect of this embodiment, the heating pad system includes a power unit for providing electrical power to the thermal-electric heating element, the power unit including a control panel having at least one temperature selector, the temperature selector for selecting at least one heating pad temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: American Healthcare Products, Inc.Inventors: Kent Douglas Ellis, Charles C. Wyatt
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Patent number: 7176420Abstract: The present invention features a metallic resistive heater and uses thereof. The resistive heater includes a metallic component that is electrically conductive (i.e., has low resistivity) and an oxide, nitride, carbide, and/or boride derivative of the metallic component that is electrically insulating (i.e., has high resistivity). The resistivity is controlled in part by controlling the amount of oxide, nitride, carbide, and boride formation during the deposition of the metallic component and the derivative.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: ThermoCermiX, INcInventors: Richard C. Abbott, Gary P. Magnant, William A. Glenn
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Patent number: 7176421Abstract: A heater for heating a rigid fluid line or hose for freeze protection. The heater has a base made of an outer base layer, a middle base layer attached to the outer base layer; and an inner base layer attached to the middle base layer. The inner base layer can be uncured silicone (before assembly processing). A resistance wire is wound around an electrically non-conductive core and located on the inner base layer. The resistance wire can be a high gauge wire providing for a small moment of flexure. A cover includes an inner cover layer covering said resistance wire. This inner cover layer can be uncured silicone (before assembly processing). A middle cover layer is attached to the inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer is attached to the inner cover layer. The outer cover layer protects the heater from abrasion.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: TransDigm Inc.Inventors: Mark Rudolph Silva, David Lau
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Patent number: 7176422Abstract: A heater for flip chip bonding transfers more heat to the periphery of a die than to the center. This may result in a more even temperature profile along the die and may help prevent epoxy voiding problems.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Song-Hua Shi
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Patent number: 7176423Abstract: An induction heating apparatus wherein an electrostatic shield and the low-potential portion of an inverter circuit are electrically connected securely is provided. The induction heating apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a top plate 11 on which a matter 14 to be heated is placed, an induction heating coil 12 for induction heating the matter 14 to be heated, driving means 19 for driving the induction heating coil 12, and a stationary plate 15 and a cover for stationary plate 18 provided between the matter 14 to be heated and the induction heating coil 12, wherein connection portions 17a each integrated with a connection terminal 17 are electrically connected to the electrostatic shield 16 provided on the stationary plate 15 using a conductive adhesive, and the connection parts are held between the stationary plate 15 and the cover for stationary plate 18. With this configuration, the connection parts can be held securely and stably.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Kataoka, Izuo Hirota, Katsuyuki Aihara, Nobuyoshi Makio
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Patent number: 7176424Abstract: An induction-heating cooking apparatus and a method for operating the same are disclosed. Upon receiving a low-voltage signal in a high-output level state, the apparatus controls an output signal to allow an inverter to be operated only in a ZVS (Zero Voltage Switching) area. If an input voltage applied to a circuit is a low voltage, the apparatus compensates for the input voltage using a smaller one between a blocking voltage and an output control signal generated from the microprocessor, thereby limiting a compensation component. Therefore, the apparatus prevents the occurrence of a power loss caused by an excessive switching operation, and also prevents a switch from receiving a high instantaneous current, resulting in increased endurance of cooking appliances.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Eui Sung Kim
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Patent number: 7176425Abstract: The invention relates to a device (11) and a method of regulating a temperature of a drive element (2) which can be employed in a deep-freezing application in particular, such as a band, belt or similar, in which at least a part-region of the drive element (2) is heated at least during a relative displacement between the drive element (2) and a machine part. The drive element (2) is adjusted to a pre-definable minimum temperature and a pre-settable minimum temperature is maintained. To this end, the device (11) has at least one module (12), which supplies the drive element (2) with mechanical, electrical or electromagnetic energy, for example.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: TGW Transportgeräte GmbHInventors: Markus Rohrauer, Wolfgang Ensinger
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Patent number: 7176426Abstract: An integrated microwaveable heat storage device that absorbs substantial amounts of microwave energy in a microwave oven in a relatively short period of time (one to 2 minutes) and releases this energy as heat (infrared radiation) over an extended period of time (typically 20 to 30 minutes The device includes three rigid elements, the upper element usually in the form of a container (10) such as a dish or cup cooperating with a base (14) to form a sealed enclosure or cavity. This enclosure is transparent to microwaves and encloses a mass of solid microwave absorbing material heater (12) in minimum contact with the walls of the cavity. This receptacle (enclosure) and the microwave absorbing material (the heater (12)) can have different cross sections, shapes, volumes and masses according to the specific intended use of the heat-storage device.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Inventor: Juan José Ramirez
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Patent number: 7176427Abstract: An electromagnetic susceptor for chemical processing that is made from a matrix material that surrounds a non-matrix material that is made from a material that is different from the matrix material, the matrix material is constructed of material having lower dielectric losses compared to the non-matrix material, the non-matrix material initially absorbs electromagnetic energy applied to the electromagnetic susceptor to a greater extent than the matrix material, the non-matrix material produces subsequent heat in the matrix material, and the greatest length of measurement of the electromagnetic susceptor is between one nanometer and 10 meters.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Inventor: Robert C. Dalton
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Patent number: 7176428Abstract: The invention provides a multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus that efficiently generates a multiphoton-excitation effect, that makes the measurement head compact, and that can be easily adjusted when the measurement head is replaced. The multiphoton-excitation-type examination apparatus comprises a laser light source that oscillates ultrashort pulsed laser light; an optical fiber that transmits the ultrashort pulsed laser light from the laser light source; a support member; a measurement head supported on the support member so as to be movable upwards and downwards and at an angle, and having an optical system that irradiates a specimen with the ultrashort pulsed laser light transmitted by the optical fiber that measures fluorescence or reflected light coming from the specimen; and a dispersion-compensating member, in the measurement head, that compensates for group velocity dispersion of the ultrashort pulsed laser light irradiated onto the specimen.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Yoshihiro Kawano, Tadashi Hirata, Tatsuo Nakata, Hiroshi Sasaki
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Patent number: 7176429Abstract: In an electron tube, one end of an insulating tube is protruded toward the inside of an envelope, and an avalanche photodiode (APD) is provided on the one end of the insulating tube. Another end of the insulating tube is connected to an outer stem of the envelope. Alkali sources are provided inside the envelope. The alkali sources are disposed inside the envelope and generates alkali metal vapor to thereby form a photocathode on a predetermined part of the internal surface of the envelope. The alkali sources and insulating tube are isolated from each other by a separating member. When the electron tube is manufactured, the alkali metal vapor that is generated from the alkali sources is not deposited on the insulating tube due to existence of the separating member. This prevents voltage resistance between the envelope and APD from being decreased and the electrical field in the electron tube from being adversely affected, thereby preventing incident efficiency of electrons to the APD from being decreased.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Motohiro Suyama, Hiroyuki Kyushima, Yasuharu Negi, Atsuhito Fukasawa, Yoshihiko Kawai, Yasuyuki Egawa, Atsushi Uchiyama, Suenori Kimura
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Patent number: 7176431Abstract: A signal processing circuit 20 has switches 21, a shift register 22, and an integrating circuit 23, and outputs voltages Vout indicating luminance profiles in a second direction and in a first direction of light incident to a photosensitive region 10. The switches 21 are provided corresponding to groups of photosensitive portions on one side electrically connected among a plurality of pixels arrayed in the first direction and corresponding to groups of photosensitive portions on another side electrically connected among a plurality of pixels arrayed in the second direction. The shift register 22 is an element for sequentially reading electric currents from the groups of photosensitive portions on one side in the second direction and for sequentially reading electric currents from the groups of photosensitive portions on another side in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Yukinobu Sugiyama, Seiichiro Mizuno
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Patent number: 7176432Abstract: An image detection processor has a plurality of image detection processing elements arranged on a plane in a matrix array. Each image detection processing element includes an adder circuit that converts an output of a photo detector into digital signals and can receive the digital signals as an input in a matrix form. The adder circuits for respective rows are connected to form cumulative adders. Series adders are connected in series and respectively receive the outputs of final stages of the cumulative adders of respective rows and cumulatively add these outputs. The digital signals are selectively inputted to the cumulative adders using a row decoder and a column decoder and processed data of an image detected by the photo detectors of the plurality of image detection processing elements are outputted from the last series adder. Processed data from the last series adder are inputted to an edge coordinate detector or a status judgment unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Seiko NPC CorporationInventor: Yasuhiro Komiya
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Patent number: 7176433Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving system resolution for a defect line scanner while not increasing aliasing effects, or alternatively to maintain system resolution for a defect scanner while decreasing aliasing effects. This is accomplished by decreasing effective pixel size for a CCD array defect line scanner while not decreasing signal-to-noise ratio, with minimal changes to the current machine. The method utilizes a sampling phase shift between successive lines of a multi-line sensor array during scanning.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: KLA-Teacor Technologies CorporationInventor: Eliezer Rosengaus
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Patent number: 7176434Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel that does not require a row select transistor. Instead, an operating voltage is selectively provided to the pixel's readout circuitry, and the readout circuitry provides output signals based on charge or voltage of a storage node. The operating voltage can be selectively provided to each row of a pixel array by a row driver. Each pixel includes a source follower transistor that provides an output signal on a column output line for readout. An anti-blooming transistor may be linked to each pixel's photosensor to provide an overflow path for electrons during charge integration, prior to transfer of charge to the pixel's storage node by a transfer transistor. Electrons not produced by an image are introduced to the photosensor prior to image acquisition, filling traps in the photosensor to reduce image degradation.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Peter P. Altice, Jr., Jeffrey Bruce, Jeff A. Mckee, Joey Shah, Richard A. Mauritzson
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Patent number: 7176435Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor consisting of light sensor circuits arranged to form an array of pixels, each of which produces in a photoelectric converting element a sensor current proportional to the quantity of light falling thereon and converts the sensor current into a voltage signal by a MOS type transistor with a logarithmic output characteristic in a weak inverse state, wherein a means for changing over a drain voltage of the transistor for each light sensor circuit to a value lower than a normal value for a specified time to remove a charge accumulated in a parasitic capacity of the photoelectric converting element to initialize the circuit before detecting a light signal. The image sensor can obtain a voltage signal corresponding to the quantity of incident light even if the sensor current was rapidly changed, thereby eliminating the possibility of occurrence of afterglow of each pixel even at a small quantity of incident light.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2001Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sukeyuki Shinotsuka, Nobuhiro Fueki, Jiro Kurita, Katsuhiko Takebe
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Patent number: 7176436Abstract: A transponder comprises a first TO having a first insulating base, a photodetector mounted on a first side of the first insulating base, and a metal cap hermetically sealed to the first side of the first insulating base to enclose the photodetector. The transponder also comprises a second TO can having a second insulating base, a light generation device mounted on a first side of the second insulating base, and a metal cap hermetically sealed to the first side of the second insulating base to enclose the light generation device. In one embodiment, the transponder operates at 10 GB/s.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Tieyu Zheng, Eric J. Zbinden
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Patent number: 7176437Abstract: A photoelectric apparatus has a phototransistor which receives a light signal and in which a collector current thereof varies according to intensity of the received light signal, and a transistor in which a collector current thereof varies according to a base voltage thereof. The phototransistor and the transistor constitute a differential amplification circuit. At least one of the phototransistor and the transistor outputs an electric signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Yokogawa Electric CorporationInventors: Morio Wada, Akira Miura, Tsuyoshi Yakihara, Sadaharu Oka, Chie Sato, Katsuya Ikezawa, Shinji Kobayashi, Shinji Iio, Daisuke Hayashi
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Patent number: 7176438Abstract: Effective differential dynamic range and common mode rejection in a differential pixel detector are enhanced by capturing and isolating differential detector charge output before using common mode reset to avoid detector saturation due to common mode components of optical energy to be detected. Differential charge is stored into an integration capacitor associated with an operational amplifier coupled to receive as input the differential detector outputs. Common mode reset is achieved by resetting storage capacitors coupled to the outputs of the differential detector at least once within an integration time T before storage potential exceeds a saturation voltage Vsat for the photodetector.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Canesta, Inc.Inventors: Cyrus Bamji, Khaled Salama
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Patent number: 7176439Abstract: This invention provides a method for manufacturing a circuit for photon number counting without destroying a FET within the circuit by manufacturing a photodetector for weak light, the photodetector for weak light comprising a circuit on a substrate, the circuit comprising light detection means and a field effect transistor (FET), the method comprising: a light detection means connection step; an FET electrode-to-substrate electrode connection step; an external electrode connection step, a light detection means-to-gate connection step.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communication TechnologyInventors: Mikio Fujiwara, Masahide Sasaki, Makoto Akiba
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Patent number: 7176440Abstract: An object detection system is provided that projects one or more patterns onto a monitored area, captures one or more live images of the monitored area, and detects objects that enter the monitored area by detecting changes in the one or more patterns in the live images. Such an object detection system may be less susceptible to dynamic lighting conditions, and more sensitive to object intrusions. One illustrative example projects a pattern of dots onto an area to be monitored, and captures images corresponding to the monitored area, comparing live images to reference images to determine whether an object has intruded a defined area. The area to be monitored does not consist solely of the area captured in the images and may include a volume illuminated by the pattern as well as a volume corresponding to the captured image area. Objects not in the field of view may be detected by the disclosed systems and methods. Several illustrative analytical methods are disclosed as well.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Darren D. Cofer, Rida M. Hamza
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Patent number: 7176441Abstract: A counting system is for counting the number of persons passing a monitor line set in the width direction of a path, and has a laser for irradiating the monitor line with a slit ray, and an image capturing apparatus for photographing an area including the monitor line. In the image capturing apparatus, one-dimensional data indicative of a position in which the slit ray is interrupted on the monitor line is generated from an image obtained by the photographing. On the basis of the one-dimensional data, the number of passing persons is counted. By counting the number of passing persons with the one-dimensional data, a very light computation load for the counting can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Hironori Sumitomo, Koji Fujiwara
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Patent number: 7176442Abstract: An optical navigation system, e.g. optical mouse, determines optical navigation quality by examining some or all of the photosensors of a frame or monitoring intermediate or final results of the motion estimation system. The optical navigation quality is then used to determine the navigation output produced by the optical navigation system.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: David Charles Feldmeier, Ramakrishna Kakarala, John Stewart Wenstrand
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Patent number: 7176443Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor, especially a reflection photoelectric barrier and a reflection light sensing device, for detection of an object (2) in a monitored area, with a housing (3) with transmitting and receiving optics (6) and with an evaluation circuit (10). The optoelectronic sensor has an especially simple structure in that there is only one single optoelectronic transmitting and receiving component (14) which sequentially acts as both the opto-transmitter and the opto-receiver in succession in time.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: IFM Electronic GmbHInventors: Holger Lautenschlāger, Jaromir Palata, Martin Buck, Hartmut Bielefeldt, Rolf Fensterle
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Patent number: 7176444Abstract: A light barrier having a light emitter (9) spaced apart from a light receiver (10), the emitter including a light source (12) and transmission optics (13) emitting a substantially parallel light beam 11. The light receiver (10) and the light emitter (9) are aligned with each other for focusing the light beam (11) from the light emitter (9) by means of reception optics (15) on a reception element (17) for generating an electrical signal as a function of the light received. A partially reflecting optical boundary surface between the reception optics (15) and the reception element (17), and an alignment plate (18) which includes a light entry opening (19) and a target disk (20), are positioned in front of the reception optics (15) and are used for aligning the light receiver (10) and the light emitter (9).Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Sick AGInventor: Roland Bergbach
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Patent number: 7176445Abstract: A method for creating large numbers of high-quality optical traps in arbitrary three-dimensional configurations and dynamically reconfiguring the traps under computer control. The method uses computer-generated diffractive optical elements to convert one or more optical tweezers into one or more optical vortices. The method involves combining the optical vortex technique with the holographic optical tweezer technique to create multiple optical vortices in arbitrary configurations. The method also involves employing the rotation induced in trapped particles by optical vortices to assemble clusters of particles into functional micromachines, to drive previously assembled micromachines, to pump fluids through microfluidics channels, to control flows of fluids through microfluidics channels, to mix fluids within microfluidics channels, to transport particles, to sort particles and to perform other related manipulations and transformations on matter over length scales.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: University of ChicagoInventors: Jennifer E. Curtis, Brian A. Koss, David G. Grier
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Patent number: 7176446Abstract: An apparatus that directs light onto individual photodetectors in an electronic image sensor array is disclosed. In one embodiment, refractive elements are used to appropriately refract different colors of light onto matching photodetector elements for different colors. In this manner, the image sensing apparatus most efficiently directs the proper colors of light on to the proper photodetector elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Zoran CorporationInventor: Rudolf A. Wiedemann
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Patent number: 7176447Abstract: An electro-optic delay line frequency discriminator has an optical signal source providing first and second optical signals that are directed along first and second paths, respectively. In the first path, the first optical signal is converted to a first corresponding optical signal that corresponds to an electrical input signal, and the first corresponding optical signal is then delayed. In the second path, the second optical signal is delayed, and the delayed second optical signal is then converted to a second corresponding optical signal that corresponds to the electrical input signal. The first and second corresponding optical signals are converted to first and second corresponding electrical signals, respectively; and a detector, responsive to the first and second corresponding electrical signals, provides an electrical output signal from the discriminator. Optical source relative intensity noise (RIN) is canceled out and does not degrade the signal-to-noise ratio of the discriminator output.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Richard K Karlquist
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Patent number: 7176448Abstract: Damage caused to a structural composite material is detected while reduction in the strength thereof is prevented. A damage detection system 10 for a structural composite material includes a vibration application apparatus 20 including: a sheet body 22; a plurality of piezo elements 21 sprinkled throughout and held by the sheet body 22; and wires 23 for the piezo elements 21 provided to the sheet body 22. The damage detection system 10 also includes: a fiber optic sensor 30 which includes a grating portion 33 in a core portion 32 thereof, the grating portion 33 reflecting light of a predetermined wavelength; a light source to perform light irradiation onto the core portion 32; and a characteristic detection unit 42 to detect a characteristic of the light reflected from the grating portion 33.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshimichi Ogisu, Masakazu Shimanuki, Nobuo Takeda
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Patent number: 7176449Abstract: An angular offset sensing device includes an optical encoder having a light generating element and a light sensor. An armature includes a reflective surface having a generally semicircular shape and a surface height continuously increasing from a first end of the surface to a second end of the surface. A housing encloses both the optical encoder and the armature and rotationally supports the armature. An electrical voltage is generated when light from the light generating element is reflected back to the sensor from the reflective surface. The voltage is proportional to a wavelength of the reflected light and is indicative of an angular rotation of the armature relative to the optical encoder. The voltage is corrected for linearity and used for example to signal a vehicle transfer case shift.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Magna Powertrain USA, Inc.Inventors: Iraj Shahbazi, Victor L. Brezee, Randy Adler
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Patent number: 7176450Abstract: A near-field scanning optical microscope system exposes photoresist on a substrate. The system includes an NSOM probe, and translational stages capable of moving one of the probe and the substrate such that the probe traverses, in continuous motion, over the entire substrate. Another near-field scanning optical microscope system exposes photoresist on a substrate using an array of NSOM probes. Methods for exposing photoresist on a substrate include the steps of translating a surface of the substrate across an NSOM probe (or an array of NSOM probes) in continuous motion.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: ITN Energy Systems, Inc.Inventor: Russell E. Hollingsworth
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Patent number: 7176451Abstract: A photoelectric switch device for detecting an object within a field of detection on the basis of a position of the object is presented. The position is determined on the basis of a value relating to light that is reflected by the object. The photoelectric switch device has a light projecting and receiving optical arrangement disposed on a front wall of a box shaped casing, a display unit and a push type of adjusting switch disposed on a rear wall of the box shaped casing. The photoelectric switch device also has a push type of selecting/fixing/setting switch and an indicator disposed on one of walls of the box shaped casing, except the front and rear walls, and an output cable extending from a corner between the rear wall and another wall opposite to the one wall. The selecting/fixing/setting switch is used to select types of information that is to be displayed on the display unit in order to set and fix the value. The adjusting switch is used to adjust the value of information displayed on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Keyence CorporationInventors: Kazutoshi Sugiyama, Koji Fukumura
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Patent number: 7176452Abstract: A beam modulation device gate is constructed from a silicon material, such as a silicon layer on an silicon on insulator wafer. The device further comprises a set of electrical contacts on the layer. The layer defines a set of electrically conducting silicon material fingers forming an array, wherein each of at least some of the fingers is connected electrically to one of the electrical contacts. The gate may be used in a mass or ion mobility spectrometer. Where the gate is constructed from a silicon on insulator wafer, an insulator layer supports the silicon layer and a handle layer supports the insulator layer. When predetermined electrical potentials are applied to the electrical contacts, at least some of the fingers will be substantially at said predetermined electrical potentials to modulate a beam of charged particles that passes through said array of fingers.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Ignacio A. Zuleta, Richard N. Zare
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Patent number: 7176453Abstract: Method and apparatus for chromatographic high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, including a gas chromatographic analyzer section intimately coupled with an ionization section, an ion filter section, and an ion detection section, in which the sample compounds are at least somewhat separated prior to ionization, and ion filtering proceeds in a planar chamber under influence of high field asymmetric periodic signals, with detection integrated into the flow path, for producing accurate, real-time, orthogonal data for identification of a broad range of chemical compounds.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Raanan A. Miller, Erkinjon G. Nazarov, Gary A. Eiceman, Evgeny Krylov, Boris Tadjikov
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Patent number: 7176454Abstract: Provided are ion sources, methods of forming ions and mass analyzer systems. In various embodiments, the present teachings provide ion sources, methods for focusing ions from an ion source, and methods for operating a time-of-flight mass analyzer. In various embodiments, the present teachings relate to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) ion sources and methods of MALDI ion source operation, for use with mass analyzers. In various aspects, provided are ion sources and methods of operation thereof that facilitate increasing one or more of sensitivity and resolution of a TOF mass analyzer configured for multiple modes of operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignees: Applera Corporation, MDS, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Hayden, Marvin Vestal, Jennifer M. Campbell
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Patent number: 7176455Abstract: A multipole ion guide which begins in one pumping stage and extends continuously into one or more subsequent pumping stages has been incorporated into an atmospheric pressure ion source mass spectrometer system. Ions delivered into vacuum from an Electrospray, Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization or Inductively Coupled Plasma ion source are guided and focused into a mass analyzer with high efficiency using the multipole ion guide. The background pressure over a portion of the multipole ion guide length is high enough to cause kinetic energy cooling of ions traversing the ion guide length due to ion collisions with neutral background gas molecules. This ion kinetic energy cooling lowers energy spread of ions traversing the multipole ion guide length. The multipole ion guide DC offset potential can be used to adjust the mean ion energy and the ion guide an and qn values can be set to reduce or expand the range of ion mass to charge which will be transmitted through the ion guide.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Analytica of Branford, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, Erol Gulcicek
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Patent number: 7176456Abstract: In an ion trap device including: a plurality of electrodes enclosing an ion trapping space for trapping ions; an RF driving circuit for generating an RF driving voltage; a resonant circuit for amplifying the RF driving voltage and applying an RF high voltage to at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and a tuning circuit for adjusting a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit while keeping the amplitude of the RF high voltage constant, the method of adjusting the ion trap device according to the present invention includes the steps of: adjusting a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit to a frequency of the RF driving voltage; and shifting the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit so that the RF driving voltage increases by a predetermined constant ratio.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Eizo Kawato
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Patent number: 7176457Abstract: A MEMS differential actuated nano probe includes four suspension beams arranged in parallel, a connecting base connecting to the suspension beams, a nano probe. Two of the suspension beams elongate due to thermal expansion to allow the deflection of the probe. By heating the suspension beams at different positions, the MEMS differential actuated nano probe can move in two directions with two degrees of freedom. The deflection of the MEMS differential actuated nano probe can be also achieved in piezoelectric or electrostatic way.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Shih-Yi Wen, Hsiao-Wen Lee, Jui-Ping Weng, Ming-Hung Chen
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Patent number: 7176458Abstract: A specimen fabrication apparatus including: an ion source, an optical system for irradiating a projection ion beam to a sample, wherein the optical system includes a patterning mask to form a ion beam emitted from the ion source into the projection ion beam, a sample stage to mount the sample, a vacuum specimen chamber to contain the sample stage, a probe for separating a micro-specimen from the sample by irradiation of the projection ion beam, a specimen holder to fix the micro-specimen, wherein the projection ion beam is irradiated to the micro-specimen fixed to the specimen holder and extracted by the probe in the specimen chamber, so that a finish fabrication to the micro-specimen is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Tomimatsu, Kaoru Umemura, Yuichi Madokoro, Yoshimi Kawanami, Yasunori Doi